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This Is How You Die
The violent, dark, and twisted journey of an emotionless, hate-filled, obsessive teen who becomes a clinical and prolific serial killer.
Herman isn't like other teens his age. He isn't like the academic elite, the geeky students who get all the grades and are adored by their teachers. He isn't like the extroverts, the socially adept and popular kids who never want for anything and always have a shoulder to cry on. And he isn't like the bullies, the ones who taunt and beat him on a daily basis. Herman isn't like any of his peers, or indeed anyone he knows. The person Herman identifies with the most, the person he idolizes and yearns to be, is The Butcher, a brutal and prolific serial killer.
Following yet another beating by the kids he despises at a school he hates, Herman returns home to his inconspicuous existence with his solitary, silent, and coldhearted father. But life for Herman is about to change. The shackles that have held him to mediocrity and anonymity are about to be broken. Not only does Herman discover his father has died, but on further examination, he also discovers his dad was The Butcher, the very man whom everyone had feared and whom he had worshipped.
Life had been cruel to his father and death had been cruel to his legend, but Herman decides that he will carry on his father's work. He may not have his father's experience, but with a little practice, Herman knows he can become the man in the shadows, the thing that everyone fears.
Now, if only Homicide Detective Lester Keats would just leave him alone . . .
Herman isn't like other teens his age. He isn't like the academic elite, the geeky students who get all the grades and are adored by their teachers. He isn't like the extroverts, the socially adept and popular kids who never want for anything and always have a shoulder to cry on. And he isn't like the bullies, the ones who taunt and beat him on a daily basis. Herman isn't like any of his peers, or indeed anyone he knows. The person Herman identifies with the most, the person he idolizes and yearns to be, is The Butcher, a brutal and prolific serial killer.
Following yet another beating by the kids he despises at a school he hates, Herman returns home to his inconspicuous existence with his solitary, silent, and coldhearted father. But life for Herman is about to change. The shackles that have held him to mediocrity and anonymity are about to be broken. Not only does Herman discover his father has died, but on further examination, he also discovers his dad was The Butcher, the very man whom everyone had feared and whom he had worshipped.
Life had been cruel to his father and death had been cruel to his legend, but Herman decides that he will carry on his father's work. He may not have his father's experience, but with a little practice, Herman knows he can become the man in the shadows, the thing that everyone fears.
Now, if only Homicide Detective Lester Keats would just leave him alone . . .
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2016
59 people are currently reading
1232 people want to read
About the author
David Jester
20 books120 followersDavid Jester is a novelist and short story writer living in the North East of England. His books include the comedy, An Idiot in Love, and the gruesome horror, This Is How You Die.
He is published by Skyhorse Publishing and represented by Peter Beren.
He is published by Skyhorse Publishing and represented by Peter Beren.
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December 1, 2016DNF
The main character is annoying in his "everything is beneath me" attitude. I realize that is an accurate portrayal, maybe, of teenagers or sociopaths or whatever, but it doesn't make it less annoying to be in that person's head. After the thirtieth "this person likes this, but that's exactly what a stupid person would like and i'm not like that" inner monologue I decided to move on to a different book.
The main character is annoying in his "everything is beneath me" attitude. I realize that is an accurate portrayal, maybe, of teenagers or sociopaths or whatever, but it doesn't make it less annoying to be in that person's head. After the thirtieth "this person likes this, but that's exactly what a stupid person would like and i'm not like that" inner monologue I decided to move on to a different book.
October 14, 2020
Serial killers can make surprisingly excellent protagonists, either in spite of or directly due to their various idiosyncratic psychopathies. Whether they are gourmands with a penchant for cannibalism or have strong moral compasses that lead them to only kill those who deserve it, it’s usually good fun. What if they had no redeeming qualities or personal charm or higher calling/meaning to their lives? What if they just loved killing and did so frequently and indiscriminately? Well, then you’d have the protagonist of this book. we first meet him as a tragically named sixteen year old, who gets brutally beaten at school on regular basis, has no friends or hobbies and is raised by a distant and blandly impersonal single dad. The mother took off when he was six. The kid walks around heroworshipping a local serial killer nicknamed The Butcher. It’s a sad life and the kid’s understandably angry, but his rage, his entire way of thinking and being, has some very specifical tones of psychopathy already. So basically at first the book kind of read like Dan Wells’ John Cleaver series and made me sincerely hope it wasn’t gonna be a YA fiction. But this guy’s no John Cleaver and this is definitely not YA, it’s much too dark on both accounts. And then two sudden discoveries pivot his life and set it onto a definitive serial killer trajectory. Discovery 1…dead father. Discovery 2…his father was The Butcher. Now the kid has a mission and a legacy. And nothing is going to get in his way, not even a suddenly ambitious local cop Lester Keats, the only man to ever figure out the connection between the boy responsible for a brutal slaughter of eight and a serial killer The Masquerade 15 years later. So basically a fairly straight forward detective against serial killer story, a battle to the death. What elevates it is the writing (although to be fair at first it’s overly prone to ghastly metaphors, but that might have been just the teenage mind wasteland), which is considerably above average for a random kindle find. It’s dark, very violent and occasionally very funny, although the humor like the general tone is, appropriately so, very, very dark. What’s different about it is that you get two main leads who are not conventionally or at all likeable, but are complex and interesting enough to be compelling. It’s kind of refreshing. Though I must say as far as serial killers you love to fear and fear to love, this guy definitely fares well behind other genre luminaries, the guys who got their own book series, movies and tv shows. It’s difficult to care about someone who’s entire thing is just to kill, indiscriminately and brutally, but not even that creatively. But then again, he is a perfect killing machine power by both the twin engines of nature and nurture, created by witnessing and experiencing physical abuse and neglect and faulty DNA. So moral code might be too much to expect. Instead you get a grandiosely self deluded equal opportunity misanthrope. And yet, his homicidal adventures are kind of fun in their own way. I wish they were funnier too, it would really punch the story up, because the potential for that is definitely present, this would have been awesome as a dark comedy. So there you go, an entertaining, reasonably quick read for fans of dark psychological fiction, who always thought that popular serial killers out there had too much charm and too many redeeming qualities and discernments and kind of just wanted something more along the lines of an indiscriminate killing machine. This is what you read.
March 31, 2022
I absolutely loved the narrator with this one. It made for a very enjoyable listen.
As for the story, I enjoyed that as well. Not sure why I see reviews stating this is just a slasher read full of gore. It does have some small moments of this yes, but that is definitely not the entirety of the book.
I think this one is more so a psychological look into the mind of Herman and his counterpart, Lester. Crazed murderer vs. tormented cop. It makes for a great cat and mouse game which will eventually lead to them coming face-to-face. Not a spoiler as you can tell from the story this is where it is heading.
This is a slow read, but overall a unique and interesting one as we mostly see things from the serial killer's perspective.
As for the story, I enjoyed that as well. Not sure why I see reviews stating this is just a slasher read full of gore. It does have some small moments of this yes, but that is definitely not the entirety of the book.
I think this one is more so a psychological look into the mind of Herman and his counterpart, Lester. Crazed murderer vs. tormented cop. It makes for a great cat and mouse game which will eventually lead to them coming face-to-face. Not a spoiler as you can tell from the story this is where it is heading.
This is a slow read, but overall a unique and interesting one as we mostly see things from the serial killer's perspective.
June 12, 2017
I’m a big fan of David Jester and while I’m not a huge horror genre fan, I knew from his previous books I would at least be in safe hands with this accomplished and very talented writer, so I was more than happy to give this book a go. I also think the cover is excellent and suitably apt! “This is How You Die” quickly drew me in and although it is very gruesome in places, as to be expected, it never felt like being over-the-top for the sake of it; Jester is not a writer who waste words for the sake of added gore.
Herman, well, I was both fascinated, disturbed and always intrigued by him. I’d have liked some more interplay between him and Lester but I really enjoyed both characters. This was a thrilling read, often with unexpected twists, and never a dull moment. I will definitely give it another read down the line and I highly recommend this book.
Herman, well, I was both fascinated, disturbed and always intrigued by him. I’d have liked some more interplay between him and Lester but I really enjoyed both characters. This was a thrilling read, often with unexpected twists, and never a dull moment. I will definitely give it another read down the line and I highly recommend this book.
March 15, 2017
Okay read
This is not one of those books that you hate to see end. I was more than ready for the ending. It did keep me interested and at certain points I found myself wondering what would happen next. The fact that the main character hated all of mankind, pretty much hated everything and everyone, grew weary. This is not a feel good read. Not the best choice for someone who is depressed. I think that if I had to describe this book with one word. It would be gray. This will not be a book that I would ever want to read again. Too gory. Too dark. Too depressing.
This is not one of those books that you hate to see end. I was more than ready for the ending. It did keep me interested and at certain points I found myself wondering what would happen next. The fact that the main character hated all of mankind, pretty much hated everything and everyone, grew weary. This is not a feel good read. Not the best choice for someone who is depressed. I think that if I had to describe this book with one word. It would be gray. This will not be a book that I would ever want to read again. Too gory. Too dark. Too depressing.
June 11, 2023
The narrative was brilliant. I particularly loved the book being split between sociopath and worn down, jaded cop with nothing to lose. This cat-and-mouse was skillfully executed on Jester’s part.
As an introvert, I especially appreciated the portion in part three, when Herman
narrated the bar scene between alpha and beta males and females as though he were watching a nature documentary.
As an introvert, I especially appreciated the portion in part three, when Herman
narrated the bar scene between alpha and beta males and females as though he were watching a nature documentary.
January 8, 2023
Sigh another 2 star read. It wasn't great and it wasn't bad. It was just okay. I need a good read and soon!
This one started out great. Herman's monologue in the beginning was a bit much but the book had an interesting idea. The boy discovers that his dad was a prolific serial killer. He stumbles across his dad's trophies and some of the scenes from the first few chapters legit made me gasp out loud. Herman then immediately decides to carry on his dad's work.
Once he settles on a victim though, it takes him AGES to do it. Then he makes so many mistakes that he's forced to go into hiding because there is cctv footage of the crimes🤦🏾♀️. The next part introduces the detective, Lester. He was my favourite character in the book. His inner monologue made me laugh so many times. Plus he was so miserable at home and at work. He was the only one who made the connection to Herman and eventually gets killed for it.
The author started out great with the shock value but it quickly devolved into a boring cliche story. Nothing peaked my interest and I continued on just to see their confrontation which was as disappointing as the rest of the book. I should have DNF'd this one. I had no favorite quote. And I definitely would have changed the ending. Lester should have called for back up!
This one started out great. Herman's monologue in the beginning was a bit much but the book had an interesting idea. The boy discovers that his dad was a prolific serial killer. He stumbles across his dad's trophies and some of the scenes from the first few chapters legit made me gasp out loud. Herman then immediately decides to carry on his dad's work.
Once he settles on a victim though, it takes him AGES to do it. Then he makes so many mistakes that he's forced to go into hiding because there is cctv footage of the crimes🤦🏾♀️. The next part introduces the detective, Lester. He was my favourite character in the book. His inner monologue made me laugh so many times. Plus he was so miserable at home and at work. He was the only one who made the connection to Herman and eventually gets killed for it.
The author started out great with the shock value but it quickly devolved into a boring cliche story. Nothing peaked my interest and I continued on just to see their confrontation which was as disappointing as the rest of the book. I should have DNF'd this one. I had no favorite quote. And I definitely would have changed the ending. Lester should have called for back up!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2023
Harsh and brutal at times but I really enjoyed the story. I don’t mind the narrator on the audio version. I thought it fit with the story
October 12, 2016
“This Is How You Die” by David Jester is a chilling and stark novel about an active serial killer in England. Herman, a fifteen year old boy perpetually bullied by his peers, comes home to find his father dead. A little while later he discovers that he father was the notorious killer ‘The Butcher’. Herman decides that for his life to have meaning, he will follow in his father’s footsteps, and he becomes ‘The Masquerade’. The book switches between Herman’s perspective as the serial killer, and the perspective of Lester Keats, a policeman trying to track him down.
Herman’s sections of the story are told in the first person, in order to allow insight into his disturbed psyche. With alarming detail, Herman describes his thought processes and feelings when killing, using a very derisive tone when describing his potential victims. Jester does not beat around the bush when it comes to alarming or disturbing passages. His refusal to sugar coat either the gruesome murders or the feelings of a sociopathic killer is impressive. Usually the use of first person usually makes empathising easy, however in this case it is much easier to empathise with the third person depiction of Lester. He has a difficult relationship with both his children and is colleagues, yet still loves his children and works hard. At no point in the story did I feel sorry for Herman!
Familial relationships are an important theme throughout the book. Herman is a very lonely boy, but credits his father with looking after him and never describes him in the derisive tone that he reserves for the rest of the world. The revelation that his father was a serial killer makes him a hero of sorts in Herman’s eyes; the ability to carry on inane conversations with neighbours and hide such a big secret is a talent. In contrast, his uncle, who becomes his guardian after his father’s death, is unemployed and a drunk and therefore deserves no respect. Herman does not appear to feel any emotion that might be described as ‘normal’, even when he discovers his father’s corpse, which is alarming for the reader. Lester has recently lost his wife and both his children hate him. He is a depressed man, who has distanced himself from his family and colleagues and only seems to care about ‘The Masquerade’. They are both outsiders but their differences are distinct. Lester is willing to beat up a drug dealer to protect his ungrateful son but would never kill and Herman kills to satisfy an urge and would never consider protection a worthwhile emotion. They are compelling characters, and the way in which they detach from their feelings is cold but interesting.
Jack the Ripper is referenced throughout the book, both as someone to revere and to fear. Herman respects him for never being caught and wants to emanate him. The links made between Herman and a prolific serial killer is disturbing for the reader. This is a work of fiction, but it is made more relatable through references to real life events. The names given to the two serial killers in the book, ‘The Butcher’ and ‘The Masquerade’, create fear. ‘The Butcher’ is scary for obvious reasons, but ‘The Masquerade’ is more subtle; mutilation might still be his trade but the name suggests more of a finesse, which in turn makes his a daunting figure.
“This is How You Die” is clearly written and impressively detailed. While the series of events were predictable in places, the relationship between the two main characters evolved and changed the sequence of events which kept me on my toes. The differences between Herman and Lester were not always clear cut, which was interesting to read. While I may not have enjoyed the detail in which the gruesome murders were described, there is no doubt that Jester has created a unique thriller exploring the psyche of a killer and his pursuer.
I received a free advance review copy of this book and all ideas and opinions are honest and completely my own.
Herman’s sections of the story are told in the first person, in order to allow insight into his disturbed psyche. With alarming detail, Herman describes his thought processes and feelings when killing, using a very derisive tone when describing his potential victims. Jester does not beat around the bush when it comes to alarming or disturbing passages. His refusal to sugar coat either the gruesome murders or the feelings of a sociopathic killer is impressive. Usually the use of first person usually makes empathising easy, however in this case it is much easier to empathise with the third person depiction of Lester. He has a difficult relationship with both his children and is colleagues, yet still loves his children and works hard. At no point in the story did I feel sorry for Herman!
Familial relationships are an important theme throughout the book. Herman is a very lonely boy, but credits his father with looking after him and never describes him in the derisive tone that he reserves for the rest of the world. The revelation that his father was a serial killer makes him a hero of sorts in Herman’s eyes; the ability to carry on inane conversations with neighbours and hide such a big secret is a talent. In contrast, his uncle, who becomes his guardian after his father’s death, is unemployed and a drunk and therefore deserves no respect. Herman does not appear to feel any emotion that might be described as ‘normal’, even when he discovers his father’s corpse, which is alarming for the reader. Lester has recently lost his wife and both his children hate him. He is a depressed man, who has distanced himself from his family and colleagues and only seems to care about ‘The Masquerade’. They are both outsiders but their differences are distinct. Lester is willing to beat up a drug dealer to protect his ungrateful son but would never kill and Herman kills to satisfy an urge and would never consider protection a worthwhile emotion. They are compelling characters, and the way in which they detach from their feelings is cold but interesting.
Jack the Ripper is referenced throughout the book, both as someone to revere and to fear. Herman respects him for never being caught and wants to emanate him. The links made between Herman and a prolific serial killer is disturbing for the reader. This is a work of fiction, but it is made more relatable through references to real life events. The names given to the two serial killers in the book, ‘The Butcher’ and ‘The Masquerade’, create fear. ‘The Butcher’ is scary for obvious reasons, but ‘The Masquerade’ is more subtle; mutilation might still be his trade but the name suggests more of a finesse, which in turn makes his a daunting figure.
“This is How You Die” is clearly written and impressively detailed. While the series of events were predictable in places, the relationship between the two main characters evolved and changed the sequence of events which kept me on my toes. The differences between Herman and Lester were not always clear cut, which was interesting to read. While I may not have enjoyed the detail in which the gruesome murders were described, there is no doubt that Jester has created a unique thriller exploring the psyche of a killer and his pursuer.
I received a free advance review copy of this book and all ideas and opinions are honest and completely my own.
December 7, 2021
I listened to the audiobook on scribd. When I read the summary, I expected something along the lines of Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (an incredibly horror movie, btw) or How to be a Serial Killer. Dameon Clarke in HTBASK is incredible. The script was comical and satirical. This was nothing like that. While I didn't expect this to be as humorous as say Serial Mom, I was hoping for a killer that was more likable. Hell, I liked Poppy Z. Brite's murderous pair of Compton and Bryne way more than Herman.
While the titles I mentioned above are movies, I often encounter audio books with the same production value that you can sink your teeth in and feel like you're there every bit as a tv show or movie or book. However, this wasn't one of those. The voice actors were excellent, the story though...
I guess I was hoping for a killer more complex or even identifiable, like Dexter Morgan or Charlie Cobb (Breaker). Someone with more character development and more dimension.
This was ok to read at first. I enjoyed the dual perspective. I and then, it stopped being ok. I realize the author's point was to shock and challenge the norm.
Reading is a form of escapism. While you can argue that prose can serve to teach, to bring about discussion, change, to explore new ideas; I find books that put the villain as the center of attention leave a bad taste in the mouth. Even Anti heroes are hard to swollen. Flawed heroes, mind you, are different from Anti-heroes. Herman is very much a villain. Cartoon mustache twirling psycho Patrick Bateman want-a-be. A killer with the attitude of a petulant child and the charm of a can of old sardines. I imagine it was hard for him to perform all those killings with his nose so high in the air. Overall, the book fell very very flat.
From the other reviews, the author sounds like he's very solid. I haven't read his other books but if I run across him again, I will keep my mind open. This one was just terrible. 0/10 would not recommend.
While the titles I mentioned above are movies, I often encounter audio books with the same production value that you can sink your teeth in and feel like you're there every bit as a tv show or movie or book. However, this wasn't one of those. The voice actors were excellent, the story though...
I guess I was hoping for a killer more complex or even identifiable, like Dexter Morgan or Charlie Cobb (Breaker). Someone with more character development and more dimension.
This was ok to read at first. I enjoyed the dual perspective. I and then, it stopped being ok. I realize the author's point was to shock and challenge the norm.
Reading is a form of escapism. While you can argue that prose can serve to teach, to bring about discussion, change, to explore new ideas; I find books that put the villain as the center of attention leave a bad taste in the mouth. Even Anti heroes are hard to swollen. Flawed heroes, mind you, are different from Anti-heroes. Herman is very much a villain. Cartoon mustache twirling psycho Patrick Bateman want-a-be. A killer with the attitude of a petulant child and the charm of a can of old sardines. I imagine it was hard for him to perform all those killings with his nose so high in the air. Overall, the book fell very very flat.
From the other reviews, the author sounds like he's very solid. I haven't read his other books but if I run across him again, I will keep my mind open. This one was just terrible. 0/10 would not recommend.
August 30, 2017
I heard that this was a really violent book, but in my opinion, it starts out quite slow. It wasn't until Lester the detective was introduced that I started to get more interested in the story. You have to wait for the end for the explosion of violence. And violent, it is. Worth the read, for sure.
December 9, 2019
He hatedDie
Written by a very angry person. He hates everything and everyone. Very dark. Didn't finish it. Would probably be subscribing the personalities of some of the school shooters.
Written by a very angry person. He hates everything and everyone. Very dark. Didn't finish it. Would probably be subscribing the personalities of some of the school shooters.
March 24, 2021
Me gustó. Es un libro ligero en la lectura, entretenido y sangriento. Sería genial una peli de terror. Creo que lo amerita.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2022
My review is coming from the audiobook version which I just listened to and finished last night.
The narrator was superb in this one!!
Herman lives in England and he is 16 years of age.....and bullied beyond bullied! He has no clue why his mother left when he was just 6 years of age, and he has no idea why he idolizes a local serial killer by the name of 'The Butcher'. When he comes home from school one day and finds his father dead, he starts to realize who and what is father is, and was. Yes, he finds out that his father was the Butcher. This is when Herman comes to the reality that he wants to do what his father did also.....torture and murder!! And Herman does, and he becomes better at it than the Butcher was. He takes the name of The Masquerade, after the main character in an Edgar Allan Poe story.
This book is labeled a crime thriller, and it is, but it is also a HORROR filled (and very and extremely gory I must say!) horror novel. The scenes of deabauchery, torture and murder, disememberment, and many other ways to die, become more and more gruesome, and if you cannot stomach reading about a very sick young man....then skip this book. There is a most disturbing scene in this book that pertains and deals with the 'getting rid of' a used condom that you will NEVER soon forget, just warning you now. I loved this sick and twisted crime horror story!
5 🤮🩸🩸🩸🩸
December 29, 2021
TW: suicidio, violación, asesinato, autolesión, violencia doméstica, prostitución.
No sé si puedo explicar mi fascinación con este libro. Y es que sé que se escucha feo decir que lo amé, ya que literal TODO el libro está lleno de asesinatos extremadamente explícitos.
Llegué a cuestionar mi juicio y eso me asusto un poco.
Creo que me gustó que el personaje principal "el asesino" no usará la típica excusa del porqué hacia lo que hacía. Él tiene bien claro que ama lo que hace y no utiliza su trauma para justificarse.
Recomiendo mucho este libro si buscas literatura gore.
“He had always insisted that life hadn’t given him the breaks, but it couldn’t have been just that. You make your own luck in life and you create your own breaks; there are options, get-out clauses if you will, that can take away your pain and make life more bearable, but these options come with side effects and invariably leave you a worthless, decaying pile of flesh by the time you reach middle age. My uncle had taken every available get-out clause and now his existence was an excuse, a lie. He lived to pretend that he wasn’t living; he drowned out his mind, silenced his body, and dumbed down everything that made him human in an effort to ignore the pain, the regret, the fear, and the doubt, emotions that make us human to begin with.”
No sé si puedo explicar mi fascinación con este libro. Y es que sé que se escucha feo decir que lo amé, ya que literal TODO el libro está lleno de asesinatos extremadamente explícitos.
Llegué a cuestionar mi juicio y eso me asusto un poco.
Creo que me gustó que el personaje principal "el asesino" no usará la típica excusa del porqué hacia lo que hacía. Él tiene bien claro que ama lo que hace y no utiliza su trauma para justificarse.
Recomiendo mucho este libro si buscas literatura gore.
“He had always insisted that life hadn’t given him the breaks, but it couldn’t have been just that. You make your own luck in life and you create your own breaks; there are options, get-out clauses if you will, that can take away your pain and make life more bearable, but these options come with side effects and invariably leave you a worthless, decaying pile of flesh by the time you reach middle age. My uncle had taken every available get-out clause and now his existence was an excuse, a lie. He lived to pretend that he wasn’t living; he drowned out his mind, silenced his body, and dumbed down everything that made him human in an effort to ignore the pain, the regret, the fear, and the doubt, emotions that make us human to begin with.”
August 16, 2025
The fucking villain won!!! ?!! I am used for the to win it maybe they are morally grey, or do things with a reason out brains can get behind. This is not the case. MC is a sociopath, starts out at 16, that finds out, after his father death, that he was actually the serial killer he followed in the news and appreciated. and he sets himself to follow in his father's footsteps and replace him. He makes some mistakes with his first attempt so he needs to disappear. He still follows in his serial killer father footsteps, but with a new name. I was sure he was going to be caught because I felt he never took care who saw him, and that fel to me he would be discovered at some point. The cherry on top of his plan was actually put by the detective that was investing him, because he decided to go in without backup. So the fuking sociopath wins. the book is a dual POV from Both the detective and killer perspective. Sometimes we get the perspective of an omniscient author. (just a couple of times, and just as an introduction to a scene).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2017
I loved Herman has a straight-forward, unapologetic, but strangely sympathetic protagonist I could can latch onto. Which was refreshing.
I’ll admit that the investigative elements I was looking forward to when Lester Keats came on the scene were a little… lacking. I was hoping the detective’s arrival would trigger a thrilling chase to catch Herman (now known as the Masquerade), but mostly it was a look into Keats’ life had been so adversely affected by Herman’s case.
Their dynamic with each other didn’t have a great deal of punch, which made me mostly enjoy them as individual characters, but not as enemies – which would have made this story a five-star. The final climax of the plot, and the epilogue, were satisfying, but not as satisfying as they could have been because of this.
I’ll admit that the investigative elements I was looking forward to when Lester Keats came on the scene were a little… lacking. I was hoping the detective’s arrival would trigger a thrilling chase to catch Herman (now known as the Masquerade), but mostly it was a look into Keats’ life had been so adversely affected by Herman’s case.
Their dynamic with each other didn’t have a great deal of punch, which made me mostly enjoy them as individual characters, but not as enemies – which would have made this story a five-star. The final climax of the plot, and the epilogue, were satisfying, but not as satisfying as they could have been because of this.
October 28, 2019
Deeply disturbing and disappointing I regret finishing this book. The characters were thoroughly unlikable and the setting was dreary and unappealing.
Whilst this is an attempt at horror, it really does not work as the book is extremely distasteful rather than being scary or filled with suspense. Getting to the end was a relief mostly because the story was tedious and something of a chore to read.
Often, books written in the first person are extremely appealing as readers gain an intimate insight into the character's psyche and motivation. With this book, that approach fell flat as the killer, through whose eyes the story is told had no redeeming features.
The ending was one of the most unsatisfying that I have ever read.
My advice? Steer clear.
Whilst this is an attempt at horror, it really does not work as the book is extremely distasteful rather than being scary or filled with suspense. Getting to the end was a relief mostly because the story was tedious and something of a chore to read.
Often, books written in the first person are extremely appealing as readers gain an intimate insight into the character's psyche and motivation. With this book, that approach fell flat as the killer, through whose eyes the story is told had no redeeming features.
The ending was one of the most unsatisfying that I have ever read.
My advice? Steer clear.
July 1, 2024
The main character, Herman, annoyed me with his feelings of superiority. This began at the beginning of the book and continued right through the end.
Herman is a killer, a serial killer due to the number of people he has killed and he’s proud of that. I read a lot of books featuring serial killers because the concept can be interesting. I often find myself only skimming the most detailed writing if the killings that take place. I’m nit into the deaths but the search for the bad guy attracts me to these books.
Herman is a killer, a serial killer due to the number of people he has killed and he’s proud of that. I read a lot of books featuring serial killers because the concept can be interesting. I often find myself only skimming the most detailed writing if the killings that take place. I’m nit into the deaths but the search for the bad guy attracts me to these books.
November 7, 2022
Not the ending I expected
Or maybe I'm wrong. It might have been exactly what I expected.
I read the book without putting it down until I couldn't stay awake any longer. I was both fascinated and repulsed.
It was well written and kept me engrossed.
But I will warn you that unless you like this type of story, don't read it.. It is the stuff of nightmares. It is more than a thriller as the book is described.
I think I will need to read more of this author's books.
Or maybe I'm wrong. It might have been exactly what I expected.
I read the book without putting it down until I couldn't stay awake any longer. I was both fascinated and repulsed.
It was well written and kept me engrossed.
But I will warn you that unless you like this type of story, don't read it.. It is the stuff of nightmares. It is more than a thriller as the book is described.
I think I will need to read more of this author's books.
August 26, 2021
As the title suggests it doesn’t take a genius to guess this is a horror! It is gruesome but not for the sake of being gruesome! If you have an interest in serial killers then give it a read. I would have liked to have known more of the backstory in regard to Herman’s mother and father and feel like there could be another book there - maybe David jester should consider a prequel!
December 4, 2021
Serial killers are great storytellers!! I loved listening to this audiobook on Scribd where it flips back and forth between 2 main viewpoints. Obviously the serial killer POV is the best at it delves deep into the mind of the most prolific serial murdered in England's history. Not going to get much more from me than if you like thriller/horror then give it a shot...it's enjoyable!!
September 7, 2022
La historia no está mal, pero el final... una parte de él me gustó, la otra me decepcionó. Además, la ambientación del mundo en el libro no fue de mi agrado en absoluto. No digo que me guste que todo sea "color de rosa", pero siento que en esta historia se llevaron las cosas hasta otro nivel. Por lo demás, es una lectura ligera y tiene un tipo de narración bastante bueno.
May 13, 2023
This was... Brutal... Crazy chance to look in murders mind and police who trying to solve the problems. Nothing was easy in this book! Some bits was intense! I was surprised how different can murders mind work. It's not like I thought it's working the same but was interesting to see the difference 😀
July 27, 2023
I'm surprised this got such a mediocre rating because this book is an underdog for sure!!!! Told from the POV of a narcissistic sociopath, it doesn't have a happy ending, and that ALWAYS wins with me! I love the vernacular of our main character and the way he is so unimpressed with people! Highly recommend!
September 21, 2024
🤣🤣😭😭
Idk what kind of serial killer this dude was! But he was the most annoying serial killer i Have ever read about! Literally what was happening and how wasn't he caught!! What was the cops doing! Lesser! Dude you had one job!
Idk if i should laugh or cry maybe both?!?!?!?! Idk.......... It wasn't a bad read! Wasn't a good read either tho!!!
Idk what kind of serial killer this dude was! But he was the most annoying serial killer i Have ever read about! Literally what was happening and how wasn't he caught!! What was the cops doing! Lesser! Dude you had one job!
Idk if i should laugh or cry maybe both?!?!?!?! Idk.......... It wasn't a bad read! Wasn't a good read either tho!!!
November 22, 2020
I get the criticisms of the characters being 'unlikable' or 'disturbing'– but that's the point. Jester does a great job in rendering a flawed, fragmented protagonist. It might not be the page-turner of all page-turners, but it's lively and a delighting read.
June 29, 2022
Meh. Not terrible, but the contemptuous tone of both protagonists got old quickly. Ending is dark and cynical, not a big twist but at least the author didn’t wrap up a book about hopelessness with a good guy ending.
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August 17, 2022DNF 50%
Audio book version- I may come back to it at a later date. Sometimes I have to restrain myself from the amount of horror content I consume because I can feel it having an effect on my mental health. Which is the reason I decided to put this one down for now.
Audio book version- I may come back to it at a later date. Sometimes I have to restrain myself from the amount of horror content I consume because I can feel it having an effect on my mental health. Which is the reason I decided to put this one down for now.
October 27, 2022
I still don't understand why psychopaths are always portrayed as wanting to continue a killer's legacy, nor why all killers must be psychopaths but I digress. At least the writing was witty and sharp.
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